Silver Lake, CA

New Silver lake Library Grand Opening on Monday, November 16

The wait is almost over! Yes, Silver Lake's new, LEED certified library is set to have its grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration on Monday, November 16 at 10:00am. Special guests will include Los Angeles Mayor Anotnio Villaragosa, Los Angeles City Coucil President Eric Garcetti, Councilman Tom LaBonge and the Citiy Library Martin Gomez.

If you can't make it to the ceremony on Monday morning, you'll have another chance to cebrate on the weekend. The Friends of the Silver Lake Library who have been instrumental in getting this library built, are hosting a Silve Lake Community Open House. This Celebration will take place on Saturday, November 21st from 10 am to 5 pm. There will be music, food, and fun for everyone.

Parking is limited so this is a great opportunity to get a little fresh air and walk or bike to the event. Maybe take a trip around the the reservoir first so you can burn off some of the to-be-eaten goodies at the event!

The new Silver Lake Library is located at 2411 Glendale Blvd at the corner of Glendale Blvd and Silver Lake Blvd. See you there!

for more information on Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, Eagle Rock and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

3 Bedroom, 2 baths in Silver Lake's Ivanhoe School District less than $520K?

You'd love to buy a home in Silver Lake CA but what can you get in the $500,000. range that's more than 1,000 square feet, has 3 bedrooms and to top it off, is actually in Silver Lake's coveted Ivanhoe School District? If you said "nothing", you're right that you're not going to find a house that fits that description but what about buying a Silver Lake condo? If you've never considered it, this could be the perfect time. Condominium living offers all the benefits of home ownership, without the hassles of yard care or exterior maintenance. You may think you want a big back yard and a grassy front lawn but do you really have the time or inclination to mow it, and how much would you actually use it?

With Single Family home prices in this neighborhood of Silver Lake still out of reach for many buyers, it might be time to check out some condos. I've talked about condos for sale in Silver Lake CA in a previous post, but a small, 6-unit complex on Auburn suddenly has two units available. I saw both of them on Sunday and if you like clean, contemporary lines these units are a real treat!

The condos are located at 2714 Auburn between Rowena Avenue and Waverly Dr.. This 6-unit complex was originally built as apartments in the early 90's and converted to condos just a few years ago. The complex is in a great location. You're right across from Ivanhoe School and just a short walk to Edendale Grill, Blair's and The Coffee Table. Less than a mile and you're at Gelson's and Trader Joe's. That's nothing to complain about!

Unit 4 is and upstairs light filled 3 bedroom, 2 bath of 1100sf with a balcony in the living room and one in the master bedroom. It's a front unit with stylish finishes including bamboo floors and stainless steel kitchen appliances. You also have inside laundry and central heat and air. What's not to like? This unit is currently listed for $539,000.

If you prefer to live downstairs and farther off the street, unit #3 is another option. At 1140sf it is slightly larger than the upstairs unit and it's got a smaller price tag at $519,000. This unit shares the same bamboo floors, modern kitchen with Bosch appliances and butcher block countertops, inside laundry and central heat and air. HOA fees are a mere $289 and you get two parking spots with either unit plus an onsite gym. Honestly, they are both so nice I would have a hard time choosing between the two of them myself!

To see either or both of these units or for more information on Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Eagle Rock and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Silver Lake CA's Moreno Highlands Streamline Moderne hits the market in Ivanhoe School District

If you've been looking for a good sized home in Silver Lake California's Ivanhoe School District, your wait may be over. A 3 bedroom, 4 bath, home of 2600+ square feet just came on the market in Silver Lake CA.

Located at 2336 Moreno Drive, this 1940 Silver Lake CA home was designed and built by noted architect Harry Hayden Whiteley. It's one of few examples of Streamline Moderne architecture on this side of the Silver Lake Reservoir. The design emphasizes long horizontal lines and curving forms noted in the entry way and balconies. There is also the somewhat nautical feel expected in this architectural style found in the porthole -like windows and original magnesite spiral staircase.

Besides a superb location, this home offers a lush back yard, green houses, gleaming hardwood floors and a view of the Silver Lake Reservoir and the hills beyond. Better hurry, this Silver Lake CA home might go fast!

If you're interested in this home or would like more information on Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

The Cheese Store of Silver Lake - A great place to shop for cheese, wine and other tasty treats in Sunset Junction in Silver Lake

Sure, you can get a variety of cheese, wine and gift basket fare at Trader Joes, in Silver Lake, but for a true gastronomical experience, you should really check out The Cheese Store of Silver Lake. Chris Pollan, the store's proprietor, decided that after 25 years managing music tours, it was time for a change. He spent three years working with a friend at The Cheese Shop of Beverly Hills and decided he'd found his life long passion. So with a sense of adventure, he opened The Cheese Store of Silver Lake in November of 2002. It's pretty obvious from the crowds the shop gathers that this well kept secret is not such a secret any more!

Most local folks are familiar with the great little grouping of shops at the Corner of Sunset Blvd and Sanborn Avenue in the Sunset Junction area of Silver Lake. Pollan was somewhat of a pioneer when he open The Cheese Store of Silver Lake in what had been a veterinarian's office tucked behind a carniceria facing Sunset Blvd. Honestly, when the Cheese Store opened in 2002 I knew change was coming to the area in a big way. The carniceria is no longer, and that building now houses Silver Lake's hugely popular Intelligentsia Coffee Bar. Just to the right of the Cheese Store you'll find Café Stella with it's patio dining. Apparently Pollan's crystal ball was working perfect in 2002- talk about picking the right location at the right time! (Speaking of crystal balls, if witchcraft and fortune telling are your thing you should check out Cauldron Kitty in Silver Lake).

The Cheese Store of Silver Lake is 1000 square feet of some of the most fabulous cheese, salamis, wines and accoutrements anyone could ask for, but cheese is definitely the staring attraction.

The Cheese Store of Silver Lake carries alot of domestic cheese in order to support American producers but you'll also find array of cheese from all over the world. The staff is knowledgeable and happy to let you sample before you buy. When I stopped in the store on Sunday I picked up 3 delicious and incredibly different cheese: Raw sheep Manchego from Spain, some incredibly soft and yummy raw Cow Gorgonzola Dolce from California and what turned out to be out favorite- Midnight Moon goat cheese from Holland California. Needless to say, we were delighted with our selections and at the rate we're going we'll be due for another visit to Sunset Junction next weekend!

The atmosphere at the Cheese Store of Silver Lake is casual and friendly but business is definitely brisk these days. Our last visit was certainly different from the first time we'd been in there. The store was brimming with people eagerly sampling cheeses, asking questions, and checking out the selection of crackers, olives, oils, vinegars, pastas and locally made confections. I had a hard time staying away from the very tempting home made marshmallows near the cash register!

If you're having a house warming party or heading to an evening at the Hollywood Bowl, The Cheese Store of Silver Lake is a great place to get what you need. Besides their selection of fresh breads and Panini sandwiches, you can order picnic baskets and party platters of meats, cheese, fruits and antipasto and grab some crackers to go with it. Need a special gift? The Cheese Store of Sliver Lake can help you with that too. They sell gift certificates and can put together marvelous gift baskets to fit your taste and your budget! Check the chalk board for daily specials.

The Cheese Store of Silver Lake is located in Silver Lake's Sunset Junction at 3926 W. Sunset Blvd with parking behind the store on Sanborn Ave. Open daily, there's someone there to help you Monday - Saturday 10am - 6:30pm and Sundays from 11-5. I think I may just swing in there for lunch one day soon and grab another wedge of that fantastic Midnight Moon Goat Cheese!

For more information on Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Silver Lake Real Estate Market Update: August 2009

Well priced Silver Lake real estate is selling relatively quickly. There is not a particularly large inventory homes for sale in the area right now. The mls show the current active listing inventory to be only 37 homes. The follow chart shows Silver Lake Real Estate Market activity for the Month of August, 2009.

Now let's take a look at some year to date figures from January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009. These figures are for single family homes in Silver Lake only and to not include Silver Lake condos or income properties.

Silver Lake Home Sales Year-to-date from January 1st, 2009 through August 31, 2009

• Number of Single Family Homes SOLD: 111
• Highest price - $1,890,000
• Median price -$735,000
• Average price -$733,989
• Lowest price - $172,000
• Average Days on the Market - 61
• Average Square footage $1,737.24
• Average price per square foot- $425.06

According to the information provided in the MLS, of the total number of single family homes sold in Silver Lake so far this year, 7 where short sales and 16 where bank owned, meaning approximately 20% of the total where distresses sales.

Silver Lake prices vary by location, school district, property size and condition. The following chart shows that the majority of sale of Silver Lake single family homes this year have sold between $700,000 and $1,000,000. If you have been hoping to find a house in Silver Lake for $500,000 or less you'll see that that relatively few homes have sold in that range. This price range is not only very competitive, but the majority of the properties are major fixers, very small, and/or in less desirable areas.

For more information on Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com